UI and Innovation Collective team up for coding curriculum
Photo by CHANSE WATSON An Apple representative demonstrates how the “Sphero Robots” can be programed with the use of Swift. Attendees were able to change the color of the robots and direct them where to move by inputing Swift codes into iPads.
By CHANSE WATSON
Managing Editor
SMELTERVILLE — There has been a large push in recent years to bring Shoshone County into the 21st Century as far as technology is concerned. Projects such as making high speed internet available and upgrading antiquated hard/software in our government buildings are already in the works. In addition to these initiatives though, one entity of the county that has arguably been leading this charge in introducing advanced technology to the Silver Valley has been the Airport Business Center (more commonly known as the Shoshone County Airport).
The airport has been the site of several events over the last year or so that have introduced residents to outside technology and introduced outsiders to the potential that the area has to offer.
Most recently, the local aviation and technology hub hosted representatives from the University of Idaho, Innovation Collective, and even Apple for a morning of coding talk.
The Collective is a Coeur d’Alene-based group that looks to “rebuild inclusive communities, inspire innovation, and unlock economic prosperity…by organizing individuals, cities, and businesses through a unique, five-year campaign that combines leadership courses, economic development, and education reforms.”
This group spoke on behalf of “Inspire Idaho,” a cooperative effort that seeks to “eliminate barriers to free, future-ready skills development for every Idahoan who wants to participate in the rapidly growing app (application) economy.”
Inspire Idaho’s stop in the Silver Valley on March 28 was one of 20 across the state over a five-day period that gave attendees a taste of app development and programming. The presenters introduced these ideas by explaining the concept of coding (programming languages that are meant to assign tasks or responsibilities in an app or computer program) with the use of Apple’s Swift programming language.
Apple’s representatives explained that the purpose of Swift is to make it easier for people to understand coding and in-turn, make it easier for them to design their own applications. In the past, learning coding languages could be a daunting task and overwhelm or dissuade many who first try to learn. Swift, the Apple presenters said, is a much more streamlined language that opens the door for everyone to code.
In an effort to provide Idahoans with “future ready” skills, Inspire Idaho has created a free curriculum called “Everyone Can Code” that will teach students Swift and how to put it into practice.
Attendees got to see the code used firsthand when they were invited to program small “Sphero Robots” and play interactive games on iPads by using Swift.
“The Swift curriculum in and of itself is so comprehensive and so seamless,” UI Events and Communications Specialist Kary Wells said. “It’s such a great way to introduce people to app development that it’s kind of a first step.”
The 180-hour course takes roughly a year to complete and Apple technology (such as a MacBook) can be provided to the students for the duration of the course if needed.
Wells said that UI will be there to help throughout the course of the curriculum by organizing meetings (and meeting sites) so students and experts can meet to share ideas and ask questions.
“We are going to take that curriculum and we’re going to kind of layer it with components that will help you along the way,” she said. “We are going to guide you through the process and give you access to mentors and experts.”
Upon completion of the curriculum, UI will present students with a verified badge of competency from the university (similar to a certificates). In addition to the badge, students will also have a finished app that they worked on throughout the course that can be submitted to the Apple App Store if they wish.
Although Swift was made for Apple devices and programs, there are ways to use it on Android devices as well.
Wells explains that the only thing the curriculum asks of students is to provide a level of commitment and a willingness to complete it.
“Our job is to serve the community and so we are so excited to make this happen for (small towns) like Kellogg,” she added. “This isn’t about big cities.”
For more information or to register, visit www.inspireidaho.com or contact Wells at 208-667-5561.